Ski touring offers different way to explore land in Qikiqtarjuaq

Nunavut group to make movie about its experience and outline best ski spots for tourists

They skied along snowy paths, walked up hills on skis and then skied down them — certainly an adventure for a group of ski-touring enthusiasts near Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut.

The outing was part of a three-week project organized by Aullaq Arctic Freeride.

"The goal of this project is to share our passion for skiing with people from the community and also to encourage people to go out on the land and show them a different way to do it, so they can have more activities to do," said Celine Jaccard, the project leader that lives in Qikiqtarjuaq.

Jaccard says conditions were perfect — especially for first timers from the community who needed skiing lessons for the first week of the project.

She says after that training, they excelled.

"The more we went, the more comfortable they felt in this activity and they actually learned super fast. They were very, very good learners and they ended up being comfortable skiers at the end of the three weeks, which is pretty amazing."

The group is going to make a movie about their experience, as well as write a report detailing potential ski areas for tourists.

That information will also be given to outfitters and the territory's economic development officer.